Château des Milandes Castle

Address: Château des Milandes, 24250 Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Dordogne, France

Website: https://www.milandes.com/

Hours: Apr-Oct 10:00am-6:00pm, Nov-Mar reduced hours; check seasonal schedule

Admission: €6-€10 (adult château and gardens admission; discounts for children)

Château des Milandes is a fortified manor in the Dordogne region of southwest France, dating largely from the late 15th century. It is widely known for its 20th-century association with entertainer Josephine Baker, who restored and lived at the château.

Visitors tour restored interior rooms that present period furnishings alongside a permanent exhibition on Josephine Baker and her time at the château. The grounds include terraces with views over the Dordogne valley and a dedicated arena where birds-of-prey demonstrations are staged for visitors.

Built in the late 15th century as a fortified residence, the château passed through regional noble ownership before being bought and restored by Josephine Baker in 1947; she used it as a family home and cultural venue. Following periods of decline and restoration in the 20th century, it reopened as a public historic house and museum focused on her life.

Situated in the Dordogne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine near the village of Les Milandes/Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, the château sits above the Dordogne valley and is part of the region’s dense network of medieval castles and tourist routes.

• Josephine Baker’s home: The château was the home of entertainer and civil-rights activist Josephine Baker from 1947 and contains displays about her life and restoration work on the house.
• Falconry shows: The site stages regular birds-of-prey demonstrations as a visitor attraction, using a dedicated outdoor arena on the grounds.

What to See#

• Josephine Baker rooms: Interior rooms restored to show period furnishings and a permanent exhibition on Josephine Baker’s life and career after she purchased the château in 1947.
• Gardens and falconry arena: Outdoor falconry arena and landscaped terraces that look over the surrounding Dordogne valley and river landscape.

Nearest larger towns are Sarlat and Bergerac; the château is best reached by car via the D703 and local departmental roads. Some tour operators from Sarlat include visits in regional itineraries.

• Visit the rooms that Josephine Baker renovated - she turned the château into a private camp for her family and the décor reflects her international sensibility.
• Don't miss the falconry show (seasonal) - the chateau runs live demonstrations that recall Baker's love of birds.